But Belmont University apparently doesn't care about the talent of their coaching staff. They're more concerned about policing the bedrooms of their employees.

Send the University a message that denying LGBT students the chance to meet, or firing employees because of who they want to start a family with, is not only offensive, it runs counter to the "Christian" values that the school is supposed to espouse. Values like loving your neighbor, showing respect for all, and welcoming all to the table in the spirit of love and forgiveness.

Letter to

Dean of StudentsAndrew Johnston

PresidentBob Fisher

Vice PresidentTodd Lake

and 1 other

Office of CommunicationsGreg Pillon

I am deeply dismayed at the events going on at Belmont University over the past month, and the message of intolerance your University continues to send. First came word that the university was denying a request from a group of gay students to form an organization on campus. Dean Johnston, you even went so far as to suggest that gay Christians could be disruptive.

Now comes word that a successful soccer coach, Lisa Howe, has been removed from her position because she chose to have a child with her same-sex partner. While statements from you, Mr. Pillon, suggest that Howe resigned, students on the women's soccer team are saying that Howe was put in the position of choosing to resign, or be fired, solely because she wanted to start a family.

Both of these actions are offensive, intolerant, and completely contrary to the Christian values of loving your neighbor, showing respect for all, and welcoming all to the table. Being a religiously-affiliated school does not mean having to be a place where intolerance toward gays and lesbians thrives.

The reputation of Belmont University has decreased in my eyes, and I'm saddened that while students at your school seem willing to love everyone and work with everyone without judgment, university officials are all too eager to create a climate of intolerance and discrimination.

I urge you to allow gay students to meet on campus, and to enact a non-discrimination policy that protects gay employees from being fired because of their sexual orientation. These aren't radical requests. They come from the heart of someone who does not want to see "Christian" values become synonymous with bigotry.